Project 52 - Week 22

Cell Phone Cam - Image processed in Lightroom

Project 52 - Week 21

Cell Phone Cam - Processed in Lightroom

Project 52 - Week 20

Cell Phone Cam

Wedding Gear

I get questions from time to time about the gear I pack when covering a wedding. Below is the typical contents for my bag when I head out to a wedding. All of the gear is transported to the wedding in my ThinkTank Airport Acceleration. Once we are onsite, I grab my Speed Demon Beltpack and load it up with 2 SB600, 85mm, 10.5mm, batteries, and CF Cards. I put the 17-50 on my D300s and the 70-200 on the D200. Both cameras have a SB800. This will cover 99% of all of the pre-ceremony shots except the formals. Depending on the situation with the formals, I reach for either the Ultra 600 or my SB600. Couple those light with the CyberSyncs or CLS.

• D300s Primary
• D200 Backup
• 2-SB800
• 2-SB600
• 1-Paul Buff Ultra w/power cord & reflector
• 10.5mm/2.8
• 17-50/2.8
• 70-200/2.8
• 85/1.8
• 50/1.8
• Hoodman Loupe
• Lens Cloth
• 40 AA Batteries
• 10 CF Cards in Pixel Pocket Rocket
• 2 CyberSync Transmitters
• 4 CyberSnyc Receivers
• 2-SC-29 Cords
• Several Snoots/Flags
• 2-Umbrellas
• 5 in 1 Reflector
• 2-Umbrella Adapters
• 2-Light Stands
• 2-Justin Clamps
• Gaffer Tape
• Various Flash Filters

My wife is packing another D200 with a 24-70/2.8 or a 50/1.8 and an SB800. She likes to travel lighter than I do.


I have worked myself into this equipment after years of experience and lots of weddings. I still review my bag about once a year and decide if there is anything I can live without. If it hasn't been used in the last 6 months, chances are it will not be in my bag much longer.

Project 52 - Week 19

Nikon D200 300/2.8 Lens.  1/2500 sec at f4.5 iso 320

ZipShot

Last week I took a chance on a product that I had my eye on for several months. The ZipShot Tripod is made by Tamrac. It weighs 11 ozs and opens up to 44 inches. I was a little concerned that it wouldn't support the weight of a pro DSLR. Once I opened it up and extended the legs, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite stable with my D300s and a 17-50/2.8 lens. There are a lot of things that it won't do but it is great when used within its limitations.


I have also used various attachments to attach speedlights and use it as a third lightstand. You can also attach an umbrella holder so you are not limited to a bare speedlight.

I won't be giving up my full blown tripod anytime soon, but this will be a welcomed addition to my toolkit. Well worth the 50 bucks.